Aldi Cycling Event Sunday 4th May.

mazule

Bikes`n`guns wrote:

mazule wrote:

Just got back from my Aldi experience. I actually had someone take a gilet out of my hand with the words "I saw it first". I can think of so many retorts now but at that moment I was having a hard time getting my jaw off the floor.

Seriously ?? You`re joking !??

'fraid not. :shock:

paulorg

Halifax Aldi was horrible today. Got there at 10.30, all the jerseys in my size were sold out. Picked up 3 pairs of gloves and gave up. Massive scrum around the bike kit. For VO2min, medium is I think 37 to a definite 40 inch chest.

EasyToAssemble

I thought I'd make sure and get there 10min before doors opened.

Good job I did. By five-past 10, it was about 2-deep at the cycle display, like some demented rehersal for Black Friday. I finally managed to get some short panniers that'll actually fit my road bike (this made the trip worth it), as well as their 'premium' jersey, which fits nicely and looks OK, but it was a hassle. I managed to calm myself down by picking up some of their Special West Country Yoghurts (which are the dog's-nuts, by the way).

I've generally found Crane (the Aldi cycle brand) to be decent quality. I'd recommend it to newbies on a budget, and it's especially good for commuting stuff, where you usually need 3 or 4 lots of everything to ensure a dry change of clothes on a wet day, or the logistics of washing / drying. I've got a cycle computer that got through the winter, as well as their winter-weight softshell jacket and tights. I'm just not sure the me-first scramble at store opening is worth it, and the cycle sale seems to get busier each time, so I might give the next one a miss. As a previous poster commented, you can pick up other brands (like Tenn Outdoors) for a few quid more, so leave the scavengers to it.

I think what makes it more irritating is that it was full of weekend-warrior Middle-managers - the ones who don't even need to economise on bike gear to begin with :evil: .

But it shouldn't surprise me. The cheap supermarkets are now full of people who have the luxury and choice - rather than necessity - of saving a few quid. There wasn't a single old-banger parked in the car park. Not many bikes either, come to think of it :roll: .

Hollow-legs

I picked and brought a white windproof t -shirt under vest ,fantastic item by the way ! Mesh back and sides with as solid front and arms!
I have been looking for a white windproof base layer vest for ages ,,,was going to buy a sportful at 3 times the price of this excellent garment.
Was a pig to find the right size( medium) at my local aldi,,it was pretty rammed full around the cycling baskets.
Wish i had got there earlier ,went around 2;00 pm I was looking for the sleeveless version but i was getting pushed by other eager middle age men filling baskets with goodies,i just wanted to escape to the till asap.

Might nip in later in the week to see whats left !

chris_bass

i like all the people saying how bad all the shoppers are and then say

"its a good job I got there early and headed straight to the cycling stuff"

seems like they are one of the shoppers they are moaning about!!

Colinthecop

People of Aldi...?

:shock:

mattbarnes

There's clearly a geographical trend when it comes to these events at Aldi. The theme of this thread seems to be that there are 24 hour Le Mans style starts which end up with scenes somewhat akin to an episode of The Walking Dead just to buy a pair of gloves or some overshoes.
Where I am in the North East, I've been able to walk into any one of my local Aldi's (sometimes even weeks after the start of the event) and pick up something I want/need in my size without having to fight off the local middle classes grabbing arm-fulls of gear to fill up their Audi's parked (usually over two 'Parent and Child' parking bays) outside.
I've got plenty of their gear - I like to stock up with their winter clothing which means I can keep my good stuff for the summer/less wet riding season. No doubt I'll be picking up more during their latest event - its just that I have the advantage of not having to risk my life doing it!

Camcycle1974

mattbarnes wrote:

There's clearly a geographical trend when it comes to these events at Aldi. The theme of this thread seems to be that there are 24 hour Le Mans style starts which end up with scenes somewhat akin to an episode of The Walking Dead just to buy a pair of gloves or some overshoes.
Where I am in the North East, I've been able to walk into any one of my local Aldi's (sometimes even weeks after the start of the event) and pick up something I want/need in my size without having to fight off the local middle classes grabbing arm-fulls of gear to fill up their Audi's parked (usually over two 'Parent and Child' parking bays) outside.
I've got plenty of their gear - I like to stock up with their winter clothing which means I can keep my good stuff for the summer/less wet riding season. No doubt I'll be picking up more during their latest event - its just that I have the advantage of not having to risk my life doing it!

Try living in Cambridge mate!

crispybug2

Camcycle1974 wrote:

Try living in Cambridge mate!

I wouldn't call that living!!

IanRCarter

Didn't get down to mine yesterday due to work, will probably call in tomorrow and see what is left. Fancied a Tri suit as a cheap alternative to a skinsuit for TTing, fingers crossed they still have some left. I've been down a few times before when the store opens and it's not a nice experience, people blocking half the space with there trolleys and not giving two hoots if they hit you with them when they decide to move along a bit.

The kits good value, although I would rate most of it as entry-level stuff. I bought one of the premium jerseys last time round but the fit was poor, I think some of their stuff is aimed more at people with a large waist and chest. The gloves and socks are great though, the former being pretty much indestructible and costing a fraction of the cost of gloves from most brands.

I can only assume that they make a loss on these specials and there purpose are to entice new customers to shop at Aldi regularly. They could stock 3 times the amount of clothing that they currently do and still sell out by the end of the day.

Camcycle1974

Agree, I bought a pair of the "small" cycling shorts that are supposed to be 28-30 waist. I am 32 and they fit me fine. As long as you size down the fit seems to be ok.

ic.

Size seems to vary between product. I love their long sleeve baselayer, which fits a treat in a large. It's a nice close fit. But their ultra light jacket thingy in a large was like a frickin tent, I could have got two of me in there. Same for the windprrof base layer, which I'm taking back anyway as I've since decided it's a silly idea

craker

Didn't anyone see the tri-suits? They were advertised but not in store in either Abergavenny or Bradley Stoke.

ic.

Had them in Crewe yes

apreading

There was 1 mens and 2 womens trisuits in Reading at 3pm on Sunday. I have one from last year and they arent that great to be honest.

edhornby

IanRCarter wrote:

I can only assume that they make a loss on these specials and there purpose are to entice new customers to shop at Aldi regularly. They could stock 3 times the amount of clothing that they currently do and still sell out by the end of the day.

they definitely are there to pull people in, but I'm not sure if they are a loss leader, probably Aldi have driven a very hard bargain and offering with a tight margin (which is what they do with all their products). the limited run is because Aldi works very hard to avoid overstocking and don't pull anything out of the store unless they absolutely have to, so next time you are in one, have a look for the bargains bin (there is one in every store just not signposted) as the cycling stuff will go in there if not sold I got a 'pro-fit' LS jersey for a tenner and it's one of the few aldi tops that fit me

goonz

Could we not make an Aldi/Lidl clothing thread a sticky? The same subject pops up every few months and the general message is its cheap tat.

craker

apreading wrote:

I have one from last year and they arent that great to be honest.

Yes but they are cheap, and that's the main thing, isn't it?

(I think I should add )

homers_double

I might have a gander on the way home on the off chance there is a gillet left, not holding out much hope though so might end up in the LBS with some reddies.

apreading

craker wrote:

apreading wrote:

I have one from last year and they arent that great to be honest.

Yes but they are cheap, and that's the main thing, isn't it?

(I think I should add )

To be honest, I wouldnt bother with the shorts as this is where performance is an issue and where your clothing is under most stress/friction when cycling. Aldi/Lidl stuff just isnt up to it there. But then again, I would argue that neither are DHB and lots of the other shorts that many people are happy with. Having worn Castelli Free Aero, I would discount many, many shorts from other brands now, not just Aldi shorts.

The tops, however, are great - just as good as many costing double or more from brand names but the fit of them may not suit you as well, this is the area they are not so great for many people. The quality of construction/zips etc is really very good, so if they fit you personally then go for it, no regrets. Now that I have changed shape, I find Castelli etc fit better and they also have a cooler material for the summer - and they just look nicer! Some DHB stuff fits me better now but I have had DHB/Sportful etc tops with the same size/shape issues as Aldi stuff and alot more money than Aldi charge!

All my 'cycling socks' are Aldi or Lidl (apart from my Woolie Boolies, which are specialist), I have a few pairs of their fingerless mitts and in the winter always wear their full finger gloves.

I have a soft shell jacket which seems just as good as the gore one that I have, in fact the Aldi one has a better zip on it.

I have a long sleeve hi-vis yellow jersey which fits well and gets used when I want to be high vis in summer (which I have to do when leading our Scout group on bike rides) and dont want to wear a jacket or gilet. This is actually quite a nice jersey, albeit yellow!

I have a Lidl (I think, or it could be Aldi) track pump and while its not as nice as my Joe Blow, it works and gets chucked around in the car on a regular basis. If/when it breaks I will buy another.

homers_double

Got the lightweight long sleeved black and red rain jacket for a tenner. I just couldn't squeeze into a size small white gillet.

It might not last long but I'm hoping it gets very little use!

luv2ride

Ok. Couldn't resist popping in on way home from work. One gilet left in white medium, massive on me (38" chest) and not great quality. Got the "precision oil pen" and a medium sleeveless base. Incredibly tight fit (sold as a compression piece) but very odd wide vest-like neck. Not sure this is a good thing as if worn in high summer with jersey open at the front it will be an invitation to a nasty sun burn. The short sleeve base on the other hand has a higher neck, but there were none left. Shame, as I have the LS from last year and it's a favourite in my kit wardrobe...

Frank Wilson

Luv2ride wrote:

If there is anything left, and it fits it's normally pretty ok. Lots of people on here, including me, initially got kitted out at Aldi/Lidl and then gradually 'upgraded' as the cycling bug took hold. I've gradually sold all my Aldi stuff on (apart from some winter gloves which I really like), not because it was rubbish, more that I lost weight through cycling and gradually got to prefer tighter fit clothing. Trouble is, it sounds from the posts on here that the Aldi Cycling Events have become a victim of their own success. saw it advertised on TV last night, so new it would be popular.

Now I'm mostly wearing Castelli :oops:

Considering how cheap it is in the first place and presumably you have worn it so it is seconhand (pre loved sorry) just how much did you get for it when you sold it, surely can't be worth the effort.

homers_double

Just as way of an update, I did a 35km ride this morning which involved a 9km descent down cragg vale.

Set off in a base layer and jersey with the Aldi jacket in my pocket. Got to the top of the climb nice and warm, put the jacket on and rode down, took it off at the bottom still nice and warm and packed it away.

For a tenner it did exactly what it should HOWEVER I would have doubts about general riding in this jacket, it's about as breathable as a bin bag and is currently hung up inside-out in the garage drying out.

tomhowells

I got the 'Normal' cycling jersey and wore it for a few days on my commute. Loved it. Super fit, super comfy & wicked the sweat away very well.
So much so, that i went back a few days later to see what was left. Ended up with 2 pairs of socks (awesome), a cheap bikemate computer for my single (very good), a jacket that the sleeves unzip from to transform into a gilet - as a gilet it's great, as a jacket it's a bit flappy. I also got a 'Premium' jersey, the full length jobby & have to say, it is very very good!

I am impressed & probably will go back when their Autumn stuff comes out. I usually wear DHB/Torm (LOVE Torm stuff) & will continue to get that as my sunday best stuff until I can afford Assos, Rapha & Castelli!